Campus News - FEBRUARY 11th, 2008
Freedom of speech called into question during downtown ‘Anonymous’ Scientology protest
JOSHUA BOSTON - Managing Editor
This past Sunday, members of the group 'Anonymous' protested the practices of the Church of Scientology around the world. The Internet-based group claims that the Church is financially and morally unethical, while a Church press release calls Anonymous "a group of cyber-terrorists."
"We are here to protest the Church of Scientology. Why? Because no one should fear free speech."
This text graced the front of a tri-folded informational pamphlet, one of the dozens of papers handed out by Anonymous at the Buffalo protest. The demonstration was held across the street from 836 Main Street, the location of the Church of Scientology (CoS) Buffalo.
"We're totally for freedom of speech," said Sue Hawley, community services director for CoS Buffalo. "Whatever you want to protest about is totally fine. Anonymous has said that they are for freedom of speech...they've interrupted freedom of speech."
Feb. 10 was to be an international day of protest for Anonymous against the CoS. Anonymous calls the protests "raids," which take place outside major CoS locations in North America, South America, Europe, Australia and Asia. Participants were directed to wear masks in most locations; however, masks are illegal in New York.
"We are protesting the corporation of the Church of Scientology," said one protestor, wishing to remain anonymous. "We just don't want them to exploit their members."
According to Anonymous' pamphlet, "CoS members must pay for work for the Church to gain higher levels of spiritual awareness, forcing many members into tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt."
The protestors went on to describe Operating Thetan levels - pyramid spiritual states that CoS members can achieve based on their level of monetary donations. Chuck Beatty, a former Scientologist of 27 years and resident of Carnegie, Pa., said that once a person donates a certain amount of money, they're supposed to have an out of body experience. During his membership in the CoS, Beatty was identified as an SP, or a suppressive person.
"I was suppressively reasonable," Beatty said. He went on to describe how the CoS has taken on a type of ex-communication policy for SP's.
According to an article on ScientologyEthics.org, SP's, who are considered the antisocial personality types, make up about 2.5 percent of the population.
"There are those among us...who possess characteristics and mental attitudes that cause them to violently oppose any betterment activity or group," the article said.
The article also stated that about 20 percent of the population has some form or connection to an antisocial personality, making them a PTS, potential trouble source.
In a CoS video of Tom Cruise that was leaked on the Internet, the avid Scientologist discussed some of the Church's policies and hopes.
"They said, 'so, like, have you met an SP?'" Cruise said in the video. "And I thought, what a beautiful thing, because maybe one day it'll be like that...wow, SP's, they'll just read about them in the history books."
One of the Anonymous members at the rally claimed that the CoS is largely driven by money, which is one of the reasons that Anonymous is campaigning to have the Church's tax exemption removed.
"Walk in any church, and they will give you a Bible for free. Walk in any mosque and they will give you a Qur'an," he said. "Scientologists will wait for your check to clear."
For 25 years, the IRS considered the CoS a commercial entity. After a series of lawsuits filed by the CoS against the IRS, the Church gained tax-exempt status, according to an Anonymous flyer. The CoS is still considered a commercial entity in Germany.
Hawley emphasized the CoS's humanitarian efforts, saying that they won't let the actions of Anonymous "stop [them] from doing the good works that [they] do."
"I work with children on a huge anti-drug campaign, our human rights campaign," Hawley said. "Human Rights International is a non-profit group that is trying to get the United Nations' declaration of human rights taught in schools. I'm out there pounding the pavement trying to get that done."
She went on to say that the CoS aims to have "a world without criminality." In accordance with CoS Founder L. Ron Hubbard's wishes, the Church also strives for positive communication around the world through missionary and tolerance movements, accord to the CoS Web site.
On the other hand, Hawley explained Anonymous' illegal activities that are being investigated by the FBI.
According to a CoS press release, Anonymous has "engaged in other harassment including threats of violence in telephone calls, fax transmissions and e-mails, not to mention the Anonymous mailing of white powder to dozens of our Churches, requiring the services of law enforcement."
"What's happened on the Internet, what's happening with Anonymous is criminal," Hawley said.
There were four, unarmed Buffalo Police officers at the Buffalo CoS on Sunday, while the parishioners were there for the 11 a.m. service. Hawley said that "numerous threats" had been made. Nevertheless, more worshippers than normal had shown up, in part, to defend their church.
"I want people to be safe and I want freedom," Hawley said.
Anonymous will next be seen in action on March 15, celebrating L. Ron Hubbard's birthday. March 13 is Hubbard's actual birthday - a day of celebration for Scientologists around the world.
"We also wish to show that we can be beings of kindness and compassion as well. We in no way wish to protest the beliefs of Scientology, or the Scientologists themselves. If they so wish, they are welcome to come out of their cages and make merry with us. The gifts we bear will be those of knowledge, reason, and free speech," an Anonymous Web site said of the celebration.
Freedom of speech called into question during downtown ‘Anonymous’ Scientology protest
JOSHUA BOSTON - Managing Editor
This past Sunday, members of the group 'Anonymous' protested the practices of the Church of Scientology around the world. The Internet-based group claims that the Church is financially and morally unethical, while a Church press release calls Anonymous "a group of cyber-terrorists."
"We are here to protest the Church of Scientology. Why? Because no one should fear free speech."
This text graced the front of a tri-folded informational pamphlet, one of the dozens of papers handed out by Anonymous at the Buffalo protest. The demonstration was held across the street from 836 Main Street, the location of the Church of Scientology (CoS) Buffalo.
"We're totally for freedom of speech," said Sue Hawley, community services director for CoS Buffalo. "Whatever you want to protest about is totally fine. Anonymous has said that they are for freedom of speech...they've interrupted freedom of speech."
Feb. 10 was to be an international day of protest for Anonymous against the CoS. Anonymous calls the protests "raids," which take place outside major CoS locations in North America, South America, Europe, Australia and Asia. Participants were directed to wear masks in most locations; however, masks are illegal in New York.
"We are protesting the corporation of the Church of Scientology," said one protestor, wishing to remain anonymous. "We just don't want them to exploit their members."
According to Anonymous' pamphlet, "CoS members must pay for work for the Church to gain higher levels of spiritual awareness, forcing many members into tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt."
The protestors went on to describe Operating Thetan levels - pyramid spiritual states that CoS members can achieve based on their level of monetary donations. Chuck Beatty, a former Scientologist of 27 years and resident of Carnegie, Pa., said that once a person donates a certain amount of money, they're supposed to have an out of body experience. During his membership in the CoS, Beatty was identified as an SP, or a suppressive person.
"I was suppressively reasonable," Beatty said. He went on to describe how the CoS has taken on a type of ex-communication policy for SP's.
According to an article on ScientologyEthics.org, SP's, who are considered the antisocial personality types, make up about 2.5 percent of the population.
"There are those among us...who possess characteristics and mental attitudes that cause them to violently oppose any betterment activity or group," the article said.
The article also stated that about 20 percent of the population has some form or connection to an antisocial personality, making them a PTS, potential trouble source.
In a CoS video of Tom Cruise that was leaked on the Internet, the avid Scientologist discussed some of the Church's policies and hopes.
"They said, 'so, like, have you met an SP?'" Cruise said in the video. "And I thought, what a beautiful thing, because maybe one day it'll be like that...wow, SP's, they'll just read about them in the history books."
One of the Anonymous members at the rally claimed that the CoS is largely driven by money, which is one of the reasons that Anonymous is campaigning to have the Church's tax exemption removed.
"Walk in any church, and they will give you a Bible for free. Walk in any mosque and they will give you a Qur'an," he said. "Scientologists will wait for your check to clear."
For 25 years, the IRS considered the CoS a commercial entity. After a series of lawsuits filed by the CoS against the IRS, the Church gained tax-exempt status, according to an Anonymous flyer. The CoS is still considered a commercial entity in Germany.
Hawley emphasized the CoS's humanitarian efforts, saying that they won't let the actions of Anonymous "stop [them] from doing the good works that [they] do."
"I work with children on a huge anti-drug campaign, our human rights campaign," Hawley said. "Human Rights International is a non-profit group that is trying to get the United Nations' declaration of human rights taught in schools. I'm out there pounding the pavement trying to get that done."
She went on to say that the CoS aims to have "a world without criminality." In accordance with CoS Founder L. Ron Hubbard's wishes, the Church also strives for positive communication around the world through missionary and tolerance movements, accord to the CoS Web site.
On the other hand, Hawley explained Anonymous' illegal activities that are being investigated by the FBI.
According to a CoS press release, Anonymous has "engaged in other harassment including threats of violence in telephone calls, fax transmissions and e-mails, not to mention the Anonymous mailing of white powder to dozens of our Churches, requiring the services of law enforcement."
"What's happened on the Internet, what's happening with Anonymous is criminal," Hawley said.
There were four, unarmed Buffalo Police officers at the Buffalo CoS on Sunday, while the parishioners were there for the 11 a.m. service. Hawley said that "numerous threats" had been made. Nevertheless, more worshippers than normal had shown up, in part, to defend their church.
"I want people to be safe and I want freedom," Hawley said.
Anonymous will next be seen in action on March 15, celebrating L. Ron Hubbard's birthday. March 13 is Hubbard's actual birthday - a day of celebration for Scientologists around the world.
"We also wish to show that we can be beings of kindness and compassion as well. We in no way wish to protest the beliefs of Scientology, or the Scientologists themselves. If they so wish, they are welcome to come out of their cages and make merry with us. The gifts we bear will be those of knowledge, reason, and free speech," an Anonymous Web site said of the celebration.
Borrowed from the "The Spectrum Online"
The Scientology Spin Doctors were out in full force deflecting the truth again!
It's time for the Americas to throw out this cult before they take over Hollywood and the White house. That is ultimately there goal.
14 Don't Just Sit There Say Sumthin !:
Don't you need to have money to become one of the cult members?
I'm starting an Owl Cult, wanna join? I have tootsie pops for all the members. It's the best I can do. The best licker wins. :-)
T.K. it's better to have money, ya. But they don't throw anyone out. In fact most members work long hard days at the "Orgs", for little or no money, just to step up the ladder. "Thetan" 1-2-3...So on. Most members that have insufficient funds really have little chance of going anywhere, except being a peon.
Go to my "SCaM" blog and watch "The Bridge" movie. I'm sure it would explain it better than me. If ya want to know what "The Bridge" is, it's where you wanna go, meaning over it. They use that as the goal and make the lower class members try and reach it. Of coarse it's their fault when they never succeed. It a long story better to watch.
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"Owl Cult" eh? You know who'd win!?! It wouldn't even be a contest.
By the way Wise-Stuff, I'm gonna start a "Mahogany Cult".
Who ever has the smoothest, tanned, well oiled and with the tightest grain wins!
Dried out, well worn pieces of "Mahogany" are tossed aside, like ol'pieces of drift wood.
Hmmm... That's not fair is it? OK all well worn pieces will be squashed back tight and then stretched into unrecognizable tea pots with blue doily tea cozies.
I'll have to find out where L. Ron is buried next time I have to take a big leak.
Kid, L. Ron Hubbard was frozen. To be cloned or reanimated at a later date. Remember the book "Boys From Brazil"? Same thing but scarier!
Wally, you are TOO much! :-)
hey
i really enjoyed read about stiv. gonna come ack and give it a more studied read tomorrow. back in the days when i played punk here on the west coast it was quite a scene - x, black flag, darby crash, the germs, thhe circle jerks, agent orange, the motels, the blasters, i remember playing on bills with all of them at one time or another. still like henry rollins, as a person. i am a film and television composer now, and really couldn't be happier - can't imagine doing anything else. i remember the day john lennon died we were playing downtown at madame wongs east.
those were the days.
You liked da "Mahogany Cult" eh Wise-One?
I just don't know where this shit comes from???
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Willheim thanx very much. I hope you liked it. He was the most under rated musician of your and my time. At least that's what I feel anyway.
You really had a interesting past eh? "X" was a great band. If I remember they scored a huge contract and then the record company didn't know what to do with them. Is that the way it happened?
Im starting a new religion called Ryantology...just cos Im bored. Wanna join Wally? ;-)
btw Im very sorry to hear abt ur dad. HUGGGGGGGGGGGZ!
Keshi.
Keshi I'll join as long as I get to be the accountant.!
Wis: Hope your day gets better.
If L. Ron is frozen he and Disney will have lots to talk about at the after-thaw party.
Awww, thanks Kid!
Tom Cruise is the typical man or woman that is going through a mental illness. Britney has a better chance than he does of any relief. It must be hell to be around him during his highs and lows. I do feel for him, sometimes. It's very hard to do that when he's an advocate to this cult.
How many people will have to lose their money , future and lives til the federal governments take action against this cult once and for all?
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Wise-One cheer up you could be under the thumb of outside forces making you do things that you don;t want to do. Like be married!
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Kid Disney was another kooky nut-job! Head frozen jezzz...!
how can i help? any thing i can do in the fresno area?
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